Obama's physical, Part 2: The fascinating politics of virtual colonoscopy screening

Minneapolis Post ^ | Mar 2 2010 | Paul Scott

[chuck_the_tv_out]

Yesterday's post looked at the issues relevant to health-care reform raised by the fact of the president's recent annual physical, starting with the act of getting an annual physical exam in the first place. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has long recommended that rather than a lock-step, one-size-fits-all approach, periodic health screening be conducted according to individualized factors.

"This year's examination focused on evidence-based screening prevention and primary care, targeted to the president as an individual and his occupation," the exam's final report stated. And indeed, the president, who is 48, was too young to warrant much in the way of screening, save for some standard blood work and the hands-on portions of the exam. He did receive a PSA test, which would not have been warranted at his age were he not African-American.

Perhaps the test most relevant to the developing rancor over evidence practices, however, was the news that the president received a virtual colonoscopy. Colon cancer is the poster child for preventive screening — it is the second leading cause of death by cancer in the United States and research shows it can be prevented if tumors are removed in their early stages. Screening is recommended after 50 and after 45 for African-Americans; options include fecal testing, two kinds of scope procedures and the procedure undergone by the president, virtual colonoscopy.

[tet68]

Virtual colonoscopy? Is that like a virtual IRS audit?

[grobdriver]

Did they get that stick outta there?

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

No, but they found his birth certificate in there.

[a fool in paradise]

The talking point to screen at 40 was raised to 50 just as the age for cancer screening in women was also raised.

The rationing of health care has begun.

[AU72]

The only thing a virtual colonoscopy of Obama will show is how many media are there.

[goodnesswins]

I have read that virtual colonoscopy is not as thorough...greater chance of missing polyps...

[Kozak]

The real rationing will begin when it's do it your self....

[aeonspromise]

Way too big for removal..

[DesertConservative]

And Chris Matthews

[colorado tanker]

The main problem with the virtual is that if they see something, they have to go in the traditional way to get it. With a traditional colonoscopy, they can take care of it right away. Probably did this because he's under 50.

But it's pretty good statement that under Obamacare rationing would be good for the masses but unacceptable for the nomenklatura.

[etcetera]

"...as of last summer, Medicare will not pay for it."

So who pays for Barry's VC? H's not old enough for Medicare.

[theDentist]

I already gotta look AT the ***hole. No way I want to look IN the ***hole too.

[ETL]

The guy just needs to cut down on smoking and drinking. It's killing him!

[JEH_Boston]

A virtual Colonoscopy does not require sedation. I guess he might have been afraid to leave Biden in control for the 3-4 hours.

[bunkerhill7]

“...president received a virtual colonoscopy.” That`s where the doctors discovered 2 million saved jobs and 2 million created jobs in there - and they were BIG JOBS!